by Danielle B

Created on: May 07, 2008   Last Updated: November 25, 2008

Few companies have rarely stuck with using the same numbers and ways of appraising antique guitars, but there are a few shops that have, Martin Guitars being one of them. Companies all over are using different systems and different amounts of numbers to mark the guitars. Most of the time a novice collector will hardly know which numbers mean what anyways. Over time they changed the ways they do things too. One year they might use a five digit number and the next a ten digit number, so you cannot apply any one rule to any one company or to them over time.

The best way to start appraising a guitar is to use the Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars. It was written by two men from Nashville, Tennessee and it is a guide for identifying older American guitars. The book is written so that you can find specific brands, general information,
serial numbers, specific features, and model designations, the book gives you most of the major brands of guitars from the past and offer really great and specific descriptions and a huge amount of photos, so it makes it a little easier finding the guitar. Smaller makes are not really in this book though, neither are budget instrument makers. It does not offer information on newer guitars either, just mainly the big names and popular guitars, but at least it might be a start.

The book is not necessarily just to appraise an instrument, but it can also just help you in identifying which model you are looking at. The book is huge at providing information on the company that made it, but offers some information about the guitar itself. The photos help greatly in identifying the brand and make as well as special features it might have. As with all price guides, the amount that they say it is appraised for should not be stuck by. Everyone knows how auctions and selling antiques is, it could swing either way, but at least it will give you a general idea of how much it is going for. There are other books out there but this one seems to be the best for guiding in the right direction.

There are also guitar groups and blogs on line where they can help you, but beware of uneducated people for this may mislead you in the wrong direction. Also, never sell to anyone that is helping you appraise the instrument, for they could mislead you too and offer you less than what it is worth and you do not want that.

Have fun learning to appraise instruments, but always just be careful of people out there that are trying to take advantage of you.

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